Washing machine



ec-"2 ,1931 ,TWB HAN' 2,103,966 1 WASHING MACHINE Filed Dec. '1, 1954 I $"S1 zeets-She et2 INVENTOR.

77mm WEE/mm I V I v f I ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec.2 8, 1937 p Pi STATES PATENT omega WASHING MACHINE V I I Thomas W. BehanQBinghamton Y. Y I 7 Application December 1, 1934, Serial No. 755,625

' 6 Claims. (CL 68-15) My invention relates to improvements in washing machines. I

The principal object of my invention is to pro! vide a washing machine -in which 'means are provided for creating a very turbulent water action independent of the vanesor agitator and wherein such-vanes are useful largely for the purpose of turning the clothes to present the different surfaces thereof frequently to the action of the m independently agitated water. By this meansthe harmfulaction of the usual typeof agitator is eliminated. I n More specifically my invention provides for a means for circulating the water through the tub muoi'the machine, drawing it into the tub in forceful'jets or stre'amswith sufllcient powerto force the dirt out of the clothes as the water. passes through them, the agitator being usedlargely for assisting in turningthe clothes without harmful rubbing engagement therewith. l U m A further and important object of my invention lies in theprovision of means for collecting and retaining the dirt loosened by the action of the turbulent'water wherebyit doesnot remain in suspension in the tubful of water, thusmaking possible a cleaner wash and also rendering it possible to use the same watera greater number of times; The economy and convenience/of this under many conditions is readily apparent.

My invention includes the important feature of a straining or'filtering means for the water in the circulatory system whereby the dirt which collects in scum by flotation in the tub iscollected and largely retained, permittingfree circulation I 5 0f the clean water through the system.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent as the description proceeds, reference now being had to the figuresof the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and wherein 0 like reference numerals indicate like parts. In the drawings: V 1 pm I Figure 1 is a side view of a washing machine tub equipped with'my invention, certain parts being broken'away and other parts shownin sec- 45 tion for clearness of illustration. g

Figure 2' is a cross sectional view taken on the line 2-2 01" Figure 1.

I Figure 3 is a detail cross sectional view illustrat- 5o ing the assembly of one of thestrainers or screens. Figure 4 is aidetailcross sectional view taken onthe1ineL-4ofFlgure3.' I v Figure 5 is a detail; sectional view similar to Figure 4 showing the screen in its open or removableposition. a

' to-the action of the water.

. Figurefi is a detail cross sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 3. v- I The reference numeral I indicates a wash tub which may beof conventional type, provided with a cover 2. Secured to the undersideofzthe tub 5 is a depending flange'or apron 3 within which is suitably disposed the electric motor or other source of power 4 and the various elements making up the operating mechanism for the washing machine to be described in detail. I

. '10 The apron member 3 may be secured to the underside of the tub I by a screw nut 5 threadably engaging a boss 6 provided on a casing I and extending upwardly through an opening provided" in the bottom of the tub I and in the upper side 15 I of the apronv 3. Suitable spacing washers 8 are provided on eachside of the bottom of the'tub I: and the lowermost of suchwashers lies between I such bottom and the upper side of the apron 3',

which in turn rests upon a shoulder 9 provided on the casing I- whereby tightening the locklnut' 5 serves to clamp these parts securely together. The motorl drives through the pulley I0 and belt II a pulley I2 mounted upon a shaft I3 extending into a casing I4 withinwhich is disposed any desired .or suitable speed reduction and motion translating mechanism, (not shown), by means of which anoscillating movement isimparted to a vertical shaft I5 projecting upwardly into the tub I through acasinglG. Also projecting upwardly into the tube I and surrounding the casing I6, is a casing I! which may bean upwardly projecting extension of the boss 6. Spaces I8 between the housings I6 andrII areprovided on opposite sides of the housing I6 fora purpose to be described.

Surrounding the casing I1 and spaced therefrom as at I9 is an agitator housing 20 provided at a plurality of points with outwardly extending fins 2I'smaller in size than the conventional or commonlyused fins in washing machines, the same being designed for the purpose of gently agitating the water in the tub with a force sufficient to turn the clothes therein in order that the surfaces thereof may be changed frequently 4 By making these fins relatively small, the danger of rubbing action 1' between such fins and the clothes is reduced to a minimum and the useful life of the clothes thus prolonged. Furthermore, greater speed of op-- eration of the agitator is possible with the available power due to the reduced resistance of the vanes; v v

The upper end of'the agitator housing 20 is formed as a block 22 over which fits a cap 23 such housings, as shown rigidly secured to the block 22 by means of a driving fit between a central downward extension 24 provided on the underside of the cap and a central opening through the upper end of the block. The upper end of the shaft lHs reduced as at 25, this reduced end extending upwardly through a block 26 of squared or rectangular cross section also having a driving fit into the opening through the block 22 whereby the same is rigidly secured to such block.

The underside of the block 22 is recessed as at 21 to loosely receive a clutch block 28, the underside of which is centrally recessed to receive the upper projecting end of the shaft I! for securing the same thereto, and the upper side of which is provided with a squared groove or notch. 28 into which the block 26 is adapted to freely engage. A bearing washer 30 is disposed on the upper end of the casing lBencircling the shaft II, the upper side of this washer supporting the clutch block 28 and the block 22. Obviously upon oscillation of the shaft IS, the block 22 and the agitator casing 20 with the fins 2| will also be oscillated by virtue of the clutch connection between the block 26 and the recessed block 28. It will also be clear that if desired the entire agitator casing including the block 22, cap 23, and block 28, may be lifted bodily upward and out of the tub.

The lower end of the agitator housing" is flared outwardly as at 8| overlying the fastening nut I.

It will be noted with reference to Figures 1 and 3, that the upper end of the casing I1 is spaced below the and the supporting washer 30. In alignment with this space the agitator housing 20 is provided at oppositely disposed points with openings 32. The normal is in substantial alignment with the upper edge of these openings.

It will be noted with reference to Figures 4 and 5 that the housing I 6 is cut away as at 33 on-opposite sides in registry with the openings 32, these cutaway portions providing the spaces I8 between the housings I8 and I! on opposite sides, these spaces providing channels the full length of clearly in Figure 1.

Supported upon the upper end oi the housing I! is a strainer or screen shown clearly in Figures 4 and 5. The strainer comprises a pair of half rings 34 pivoted together at 35 and provided at their opposite ends with openings 38 adapted to receive a pin 31 when the openings arebrought into registry with each other, as shown in Figure 4. Located at points in registry with the cutaway portions 33 of the housing I 8, are inwardly extending perforated strainer members 38, of such shape as to snugly flt against the housing I8 within such cutout portions and in which position the openings 36 are in registry to receive the pin 31 whereby the strainer is held in position. When it is desired to remove the strainer for cleaning, the pin 31 is removed whereupon the half rings 34 may be separated by rocking upon their pivot 35 as shown in Figure 5, whereupon the same may be withdrawn entirely from the machine. The strainer extends outwardly through the openings 32 to a point just outside the agitator housing 20 and are provided with upturned lips or flanges 38 giving to the strainers a shallow cup shape.

The function and operation of this strainer will now be described. During the washing opupper end of the casing I8,

the strainer 38 at the top of the level of the water in the tub cleaned.

on the underside of the tub I and within the apron 3 is one or more pumps 40, two of which are shown in Figure 2 of the draw ing although it will be understood that more may be. provided as desired or necessary. The

pumps may be of any desired or conventional form and are driven by means of the motor belt II passing over pulleys 4I provided on the pumps.

The casing 1 on the underside of the tub,

munication comprising the passage 42 through the channels I8 passes into machine. through pipes 48 to the pumps 40 by means of which it is forced outwardly and upwardly through pipes 41 passing through suitable openings provided in the top of the apron 8 and the bottom of the tub I back into the tub. The pumps 40 are so geared that the water is forced into the tub through the pipes water then passes Obviously also the suction force of the pumps through the strainers 44 and through the passages I8, serves to suck the water into and through such passages, through the openings 32, with greater force. As these openings 32 are located at approximately the water level, it is obvious that dirt carrying scum, normally on ened and removed dirt from the clothes is trapped and retained out of continued circulation.

Of course, changes may be made in details of construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope oi my invention.

I do not limit myself, therefore, to the 7s.

exact formherein shown and described other than by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A washing machine comprising a tub, an agitator therein above the clothes supporting portion of the tub for turning the clothes, a circulatory water system for effecting turbulency including a pump positioned below said tub, a passage for water communicating at one end with the suction side of the pump and at its other end with the tub centrally thereof and substantially at normal operating water level, a passage 7' communicating with the pressure side of said pump and with said tub at a point below the normal operating water level thereof, means in saidfirst passage substantially at water level for removing and retaining dirt carried by the water, and a commonsource of power for driving or said agitator and said pump.

2. A washing machine comprising a tub, a centrally and vertically disposed agitator shaft therein, an agitator connected thereto for turn-- ing'th'e clothes, ahousing. surrounding said shaft,

a casing around said housing, a water pump positioned below said tub, a passage forwater between said housing, and casing communicatingatv one end with the suction side of said pump ing the clothes, a housing surrounding said shaft,

a casing around said housing, a water pump positioned below said tub, a passage for water between said housing and easing communicating. at one end with the suction side of said pump and at its other end with said tub substantially at normal operating water level, a passage communicating with the pressure side of said pump and with said tub below the normal operating water level thereof, and means in said first named passage for removing and retaining dirt carried by the water.

4. A washing machine comprising a tub, a a

' at one end with the suction side of said pump and at its other end with 'said tub substantially at normal operating water level, and a passage communicating with the pressure side of said pump and with said tub below the normal operating water level thereof, and strainer means in the intake end of said first named passage for removing and retaining dirt carried by the water.

5. A washing machine comprising a tub, a centrally and vertically disposed agitator shaft therein, an agitator connected thereto for tuming the clothes, 9. housing surrounding said shaft, a casing around said housing, a water pump positioned below said tub, a passage for water between said housing and easing communicating at one end with the suction side of said pump and at its other end with said tub'substantially the intake end of said first named passage for removing and retaining dirt carried by the water.

6. A washing machine comprising a tub, a

centrally and veritcally disposed agitator shaft therein, an agitator connected thereto for tuming the clothes, a housing surrounding said shaft, a casing around said housing, a water pump positioned below said tub, a passage for water between said housing and casing communicating at one end with the suction side of said pump and at its other end with said tub substantially at normal operating level, a passage communi eating with the pressure side of said pump and with said tub below the normal operating water level thereof, a removable screen over theintake end of said first named passage for removing and retaining dirt carried by the water, and a second removable screen in said first named passage between said intake end and said pump.

THOMAS W. BEHAN. 

